Marriott International Celebrates the 2024 J. Willard Marriott Awards of Excellence Honorees
Marriott International | May 16, 2024
Industry Happenings
Completing its $22 Million Makeover, Georgia’s 157-key Holiday Inn Resort® Jekyll Island Opens
March 10, 2015
10 March, 2015 - InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) announces the opening of the Holiday Inn Resort® Jekyll Island hotel. The resort recently underwent a $22 million transformation funded by the ownership. The Holiday Inn Resort® brand portfolio, currently at 42 properties worldwide, experienced growth in the U.S. with the opening of the Holiday Inn Resort Fort Walton Beach hotel and the signing of the Holiday Inn Resort-Pagosa Springs hotel in 2014. "With locations around the world, the Holiday Inn brand plays an important role in the journeys of guests wherever they travel – from the boardroom to the beach," said Maurice Cooper, ...
RoomKeyPMS Expands Relationship with SkyWire
RoomKeyPMS | March 10, 2015
Expansion to include SkyWire Spa and Activity Management and ground-breaking POS Self-Healing Database March 10, 2015: Vancouver, BC - The fact that technology is changing the way hotels, resorts and casinos attract and engage with their guests is no surprise. What is surprising is the number of companies in the hospitality industry who have not yet incorporated these technological advances into their strategy, be it a fear of change or a fear of the unknown. Those that have embraced the future are seeing great results as front runners, and it is these companies who have made RoomKeyPMS the leading cloud-based hotel Property Management ...
How International Hospitality Enterprises Encourages More Direct Bookings
Doug Kennedy | March 10, 2015
By Doug Kennedy March 10, 2015 Like most hotel companies, International Hospitality Enterprises is looking to reduce the costs of customer acquisition by encouraging more direct bookings. IHE, which operates 7 upscale and luxury hotels in Puerto Rico under flags such as Marriott's Renaissance and Courtyard, Hilton's Doubletree, and Best Western as well as 3 independents, works hard to foster direct relationships with its guests. "We strongly value our OTA relationships and work closely with all of the major providers," says Peter Hopgood, Vice President of Sales & Marketing, "Yet we also do all we can to encourage our frontline coll...
The 124-room Hilton Garden Inn Memphis/Wolfchase Galleria Opens in Memphis, Tennessee
Hilton Garden Inn | March 10, 2015
Owned by Globus Partnership and Managed by PGC Management, Inc. March 10, 2015 - MEMPHIS, Tenn. and MCLEAN, Va. - Hilton Garden Inn, Hilton Worldwide's award-winning brand of upscale yet affordable hotels, announced today the opening of Hilton Garden Inn Memphis/Wolfchase Galleria, representing an addition to the brand's growing portfolio of more than 600 hotels worldwide. Hilton Garden Inn Memphis/Wolfchase Galleria is owned by Globus Partnership and managed by PGC Management, Inc. It is the brand's first property in Memphis. "We are excited to welcome the new Hilton Garden Inn to our own backyard," said Adrian Kurre, global head, Hilt...
SkyWire Names Trey Robinson SVP & General Counsel
SkyWire | March 9, 2015
LAS VEGAS – March 10th, 2015 - SkyWire, a global Hospitality Technology provider, named Bryant "Trey" Robinson as SVP and General Counsel. Robinson will oversee all company legal endeavors in addition to its daily operating activities. Prior to joining SkyWire, Trey was VP of Operations and General Counsel for Digital Intelligence Systems in McLean, VA and Partner at Duane Morris LLP and McGuireWoods LLP in Washington D.C. Robinson earned his Juris Doctorate from the University of Virginia School of Law. "Trey brings with him a sophisticated legal acumen and makes an excellent addition to the SkyWire team," said Robert Breedlove, Chie...
Alila Villas Soori Appoints Executive Chef Fernando Trump
Alila Villas Soori | March 9, 2015
9th March 2015 - Alila Villas Soori is delighted to announce the appointment of Fernando Trump as the resort's new Executive Chef. Fernando arrives on the tranquil shores of West Bali from the bustling city of Budapest, Hungary, where he was most recently Executive Chef of the luxurious L'Occhio Di Stile restaurant, crafting premium quality ingredients into seasonal menus showcasing modern European cuisine. Fernando's rise through the culinary ranks began in his home country of Argentina, where he gained experience at notable establishments such as the Philippe Starck-designed El Bistro restaurant at Faena Hotel & Universe, and the ...
Johnson & Wales University Provides Scholarships for 2015 HTMP International Competition Winners
the American Hotel & Lodging Educational Institute (AHLEI) | March 9, 2015
Orlando, Florida, March 2015 - Johnson & Wales University has committed to offering four-year scholarships to members of the top three winning teams of the 2015 HTMP International Competition hosted by the American Hotel & Lodging Educational Institute (AHLEI). The 12th annual competition will be held April 23-25 at the Rosen Shingle Creek in Orlando, Florida, and will bring together teams of enthusiastic, motivated high school hospitality students who will demonstrate their skills and knowledge as they compete for scholarships to leading hospitality programs. Johnson & Wales is a private, nonprofit, four-year university tha...
TMH Hotels Opens New 138-suite Homewood Suites by Hilton Palo Alto
Homewood Suites by Hilton | March 9, 2015
PALO ATO, Calif. and MCLEAN, Va. - Homewood Suites by Hilton, Hilton Worldwide's international brand of upscale, all-suite, extended-stay hotels, announced today the opening of its newest property today, Homewood Suites by Hilton Palo Alto. The hotel is the brand's first in Palo Alto, and 22nd in California. "Entering Silicon Valley is an exciting milestone for Homewood Suites and a key marker in the ongoing expansion into prime metro and business destinations," said Bill Duncan, global head, Homewood Suites by Hilton. "Whether a tech innovator or family visiting a student at the nearby university, there is a strong demand for value-dri...
Owners DCG Development Open New Embassy Suites Saratoga Springs, Saratoga Springs, NY
Embassy Suites Hotels | March 9, 2015
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. and McLEAN, Va. - Embassy Suites Hotels, the Hilton Worldwide brand of upscale all-suite hotels, announced today the opening of the new 149-suite Embassy Suites in the heart of downtown Saratoga Springs. The full-service hotel, located within walking distance to shopping, museums, casinos, parks, restaurants, entertainment, and more, is the first Embassy Suites in the state to feature the brand's latest design concept, Design Option III. Embassy Suites Saratoga Springs is owned by DCG Development and managed by Veeder Hospitality Management LLC. "We're excited to continue our expansion in this popular leisure mark...
Hotel Equities to Manage New, Under Development, Fairfield Inn & Suites Waxahachie/South Dallas
Hotel Equities | March 9, 2015
Atlanta, GA–March 9, 2015 – Atlanta-based Hotel Equities (www.hotelequities.com) recently announced its selection as the management firm for the Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott under development in Waxahachie, Texas. Set to break ground in April 2015, the hotel will be located at 2020 Civic Center Ln., the intersection of Interstate 35 E and Highway 287, just 30 minutes south of Dallas, Texas. Expected to open in March 2016, the hotel will sit beside the Waxahachie Civic Center, site of numerous events and meetings, and across from the newly completed Baylor Scott & White Hospital. "Expanding our management portfolio deep...
Owner Somchand Patel & GM Brian Ugorek Open the Country Inn & Suites By Carlson, Rochester-East, NY
Country Inns & Suites By Carlson | March 9, 2015
MINNEAPOLIS (March 9, 2015) – Country Inns & Suites By Carlson, a leading upper-midscale hotel brand, today announced the opening of Country Inn & Suites By Carlson, Rochester-East, NY. "We're thrilled to expand our brand into the Rochester community," said Scott Meyer, senior vice president, Midscale Brands, Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group, Americas. "Both business and leisure guests visiting this location will experience the brand's caring and comfortable service." Country Inns & Suites By Carlson, Rochester-East, NY will offer guests free high-speed Internet, a fitness center, Read It & Return Lending LibrarySM, complim...
Andy Finn Named Hotel Manager for Chicago’s Palmer House Hilton
Hilton Worldwide | March 9, 2015
CHICAGO (March 9, 2015) - Palmer House Hilton is pleased to announce the appointment of Andy Finn as its new Hotel Manager. A veteran in the hospitality and finance industry, Finn brings over 30 years of experience to his new role. "We are thrilled to welcome Andy to the Palmer House," said Dean Lane, General Manager, Palmer House Hilton. "His longtime dedication to the Hilton family, combined with his expertise in finance, sales and marketing, make him the ideal fit for the hotel." "I am proud to be a part of the team at Palmer House," said Finn. "With roots that date back to the 19th century, the hotel in and of itself is an instituti...
Hotel Price Positioning With Strategy
Jana Love | March 9, 2015
By Jana Love, ProSolutions President/CEO What ProSolutions has learned about pricing in the last 9 years while doing competitive pricing analysis for hotels is that to capture your fair share in your competitive set, knowledge is power. There are so many factors that need to be considered and understood when deciding to lower or raise your prices. Knowing when to vary pricing to match demand patterns, and when to drive revenue and profits need to be key components of your operating strategy. Building a sustainable revenue stream is built by proper pricing strategies that drive revenue both in the short-term and long-term. Pricing optimi...
Arden Group Acquires the Hilton Santa Cruz Scotts Valley, CA; HEI Hotels & Resorts to Manage
Arden Group | March 9, 2015
$7 Million Renovation Planned for the Hotel PHILADELPHIA, PA - March 9, 2015 - Arden Group, through their discretionary fund affiliate Arden Real Estate Partners II, LP, announced today that they acquired the Hilton Santa Cruz Scotts Valley, CA. The 174 room upscale hotel includes over 7,900 square feet of indoor outdoor function and meeting space. Hilton full service amenities feature an outdoor swimming pool and whirlpool, spacious courtyards, fitness center, three meal restaurant, lobby lounge and business center. Arden will be investing an additional $7 million in the hotel to renovate the guest rooms, public space and upgrades to t...
Eurocon, LLC Opens the 139-room Element Miami Doral as Part of Dual Branded Development
Element Hotels | March 9, 2015
March 09, 2015 - STAMFORD, Conn.-- Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. (NYSE:HOT) today announced the opening of its eco-wise Element brand in Doral, Florida, just minutes from downtown Miami. Element Miami Doral joins Aloft Miami Doral as part of a dual-branded Starwood hotel development owned by Eurocon, LLC. The new Element hotel features 139 stylish, light-filled rooms designed to fuel a life in balance and on the move. Element Miami Doral is the brand's second hotel in the greater Miami area and one of eight new Element hotels slated to open worldwide by the end of 2015. "Element Miami Doral is a compelling new addition t...
Joan Higginbotham Named Director of Sales for Holiday Inn & Suites Memphis Wolfchase Galleria
Holiday Inn & Suites Memphis Wolfchase Galleria | March 9, 2015
MEMPHIS, TN, March 9, 2015 – Holiday Inn & Suites Memphis Wolfchase Galleria has named Joan Higginbotham as Director of Sales for the hotel located at 2751 New Brunswick Road next to Wolfchase Galleria Mall in Memphis, TN. Ms. Higginbotham brings extensive hospitality industry Corporate Sales & Marketing experience to the job, with a variety of brands, having most recently served as Director of Corporate Sales at Four Points by Sheraton in Memphis, TN. Her 20-year career in the hospitality industry also includes positions as Corporate Sales & Marketing Manager, Regional Sales Manager, Area Sales Manager, and others. Ms. Hi...
OTO Development & Palmetto Hospitality Open the 174-room Hilton Garden Inn Palo Alto
Hilton Garden Inn | March 9, 2015
PALO ALTO, Calif. and MCLEAN, Va. - Hilton Garden Inn, Hilton Worldwide's award-winning brand of upscale yet affordable hotels, announced today the opening of Hilton Garden Inn Palo Alto, representing an addition to the brand's growing portfolio of more than 600 hotels worldwide. Hilton Garden Inn Palo Alto is owned by OTO Development, LLC and managed by Palmetto Hospitality of Palo Alto. It is the brand's fifth property in Santa Clara County. "We are delighted to strengthen our presence in the major growth hub of Silicon Valley, expanding the brand's signature service, style and Satisfaction PromiseTM to its visitors," said Adrian Kurr...
Positive Outlook for Spring Leisure Travel Driven by Older Generations (and a challenging winter)
D. K. Shifflet & Associates | March 9, 2015
McLean, VA, March 9, 2015 – Boomers and Traditionalists are breaking out this spring as these older travelers drive the overall increase in springtime leisure travel compared to last year. Younger travelers maintain the same leisure trips as before, with Gen X and Millennial travel remaining relatively unchanged according to a national survey by D.K. Shifflet & Associates. Boomer leisure travel has increased for the past two springs. Several things factor into this boom in travel among Boomers: an improving economy, pent up demand due to a difficult winter weather-wise, and life stage changes as more Boomers approach retirement an...
MCR Development LLC Acquires Portfolio of 18 Marriott and Hilton Hotels for $206 Million
MCR Development LLC | March 9, 2015
NEW YORK--MCR Development LLC ("MCR"), the seventh largest hotel owner-operator in the United States, today announced it has acquired a portfolio of 18 Marriott and Hilton hotels (the "Portfolio") for approximately $206 million. Collectively, the Portfolio represents 1,787 rooms across 11 states in growing cities including Charlotte, Savannah, Cincinnati, Tulsa and San Antonio. The Portfolio has an average age of less than 10 years and is unencumbered by management agreements. All hotels were acquired with fee simple title. This collection of premium-branded hotels further enhances the geographic diversity of MCR's portfolio and expands...
Hotel Investment Tops $30 Billion in 2014; Average Per Room Cost was $156,002, up 20.6% YOY
Lodging Econometrics | March 9, 2015
MARCH 9, 2015 - PORTSMOUTH, NH - Lodging Econometrics reports that In 2014 total investment in the lodging industry was an estimated $30.8 billion. Of the 1,292 hotels that were transacted 935 reported a selling price into the public domain. The average selling price per room for those hotels was $156,002, up a dramatic 20.6% Year-Over-Year (YOY). The healthy increase in selling prices is due to record-setting hotel revenues and profits, low interest rates and the availability of attractive financing terms. LE foresees selling prices continuing to accelerate for the next several years as hotel performance continues to shine in the abse...
Chesapeake Lodging Trust Acquires The Royal Palm-Miami South Beach for $278 million
Chesapeake Lodging Trust | March 9, 2015
ANNAPOLIS, Md.--Mar. 9, 2015-- Chesapeake Lodging Trust (NYSE:CHSP) (the "Trust") announced today that it has closed on the previously announced acquisition of The Royal Palm located in Miami Beach, Florida for a purchase price of $278.0 million, or approximately $707,000 per key. The Trust entered into a new management agreement with HEI Hotels & Resorts to operate the hotel and a new franchise agreement with Starwood Hotels & Resorts ("Starwood") and will be affiliated with Starwood's new brand for independent hotels. "We are thrilled to announce our entrance into the Miami-South Beach market with the fee simple purchase of Th...
Revolutionary GHACP, A Hospitality Industry Financial Comparison Database, Now Includes Club Data
HFTP | March 9, 2015
AUSTIN, TEXAS, USA (March 6, 2015) – The Global Hospitality Accounting Common Practices (GHACP), a tool that uses cutting-edge technology to provide users a way to compare global accounting practices, now features club data provided by the Uniform System of Financial Reporting for Clubs, 7th Edition (USFRC). In partnership with the Club Managers Association of America (CMAA), Hospitality Financial and Technology Professionals (HFTP®) is now able to deliver an interactive web site that is beneficial to both club and hotel professionals alike. "HFTP's partnership with CMAA along with the tireless work of industry contributors has made ...
Let’s Keep It Real: The Truth About Hotel Meta Search
Vikram Singh | March 9, 2015
by Vikram Singh Hotel marketing types love trends. Every day there is the same old story about a new thing that changes everything. It's always a thing that, if the hotels would only start doing it, or hire an agency to do it, or subscribe to a tool that would do it... the heavens would open and it would rain revenue. I'm sure everyone remembers (if they are not still living in) the Social Media Monetization Era. Now, the new craze is Hotel Meta Search. Unfortunately, over the past few years, its virtues have been overstated, to say the least. Yes, it's a channel worth trying. But no, it's not a magical weapon that will transform your o...
INTEREL Wins TechOvation Award
INTEREL | March 9, 2015
Dubai, March 2015: Headquartered in Dubai, INTEREL, the world's fastest growing manufacturer of integrated room technologies in the luxury hospitality industry, took first place at the 2015 TechOvation Awards held at the Hotel Technology Next Generation (HTNG) North American Conference in San Antonio, Texas. The Hotel Technology Next Generation (HTNG) TechOvation Award was created to recognize and reward technology innovation in the hospitality industry. The awards, which had a staggering 18 entries this year, saw contestants present their innovation before a live audience of registered conference attendees, investors and a distinguishe...